Official Black Horse Fairchild Model 24 Argus 2357mm ARF Discussion Thread

[Alpha]

Thanks for your insight, have just buried a GP Escapade for which parts are no longer available and was worried about quality and future parts availability on a product seemingly not that main stream.

@oldnewbie

Welcome to Hobby Squawk! I personally visit our partner factory Black Horse frequently throughout the year, so let me assure you that their products and spare parts aren't being discontinued anytime soon. The Fairchild Argus is one of their more recent and more popular releases, and regardless, Black Horse has a good record of not discontinuing their models. Rather, they update them as feedback determines, such as our recent updating of the Storch's covering from satin to matte, and of revising the rear stab so the Storch requires less nose weight to CG.

[oldnewbie]

Thanks for your insight, have just buried a GP Escapade for which parts are no longer available and was worried about quality and future parts availability on a product seemingly not that main stream.

[OV10]

Black Horse has been around for quite awhile and the overall value of their ARF's are above average rated. They seem to use a better grade balsa/ply than say VQ in my opinion.
I'm sure you can find anyone to make negative comments about every model manufacture out there including Hangar 9.
So opinions are like A-holes and everyone has one so you can get the gamut of beliefs about any thing made. ( I like Fords and could care less about the others )
If the Argus trips your trigger than do it.

Best regards Oldnewbie and welcome to the Squawk

[oldnewbie]

Have come close to placing and order for the Fairchild but in discussions with other flyers at the field about Black Horse models and the quality, all I get is blank stares. Seems Hanger 9 is the product of choice. Can anyone share with me their experiences with the brand and the quality of the product? My order finger is twitching.
Thanks

[USMA-82]

I finally started work on this beautiful bird. Planning on going electric with a Tacon Big Foot 1.60 motor, 120A Gecko ESC and 12S. Going with my big bird favorite Hitec 645MG servos all around.

It reminds me very much of my Phoenix Stinson Reliant, which is about the same size and dimensions. If this Fairchild flies anywhere near as nicely as that plane, I'll be a happy camper!

Only issue I've had so far is with the upper gear support that runs from the gear junction up to the top of the cockpit area (black strut). It didn't line up properly with the pre-drilled hole and blind nut in the fuselage, so I had to "twist" the lower gear support strut slightly to make it fit. Also, the upper portion of that support (where it attaches to the cockpit area) is too thick to fit the carve out in the wing root. In order to get the wings to fit flush against the fuselage, I had to cut the relief area pretty deep into the wing. It fits now, and is really barely noticeable.

Will report on more as the build proceeds.

*

[bbolz]

Does anyone have a link or source for scale hardware for planes like latches, handles, hinges, small locks, etc?

[Twowingtj]

Congratulations!

Always nice to have a model that stands out in style and quality.

[althepal88]

The adventure continues. My primary plane for the USSMA Nationals in Clovis was giving me problems, so I loaded up the F 24 and took her into competition. With no practice time on her (and only one flight) I managed to squeak out a second place in ProAm/Sportsman. We had some blustery winds for two days which really pushed her around, but she flew great. Most noteworthy was she got Best ARF award, which I sent to Motion RC (hope you like it). Many people were interested and were amazed at the size and appearance of the aircraft. The following weekend, she went to the One Eighth Air Force Winter Fly-In outside of Phoenix and garnered a third place in Golden Age. Again, lots of attention paid to the Fairchild; she really stands out at the field.

[slinky-1]

Hi guys, I have just got to the end of my build of my Fairchild 24 but have a problem getting the right size domed spinner nut.
The motor I have which I bought from Motion RC is the recommended Admiral electric GP26 6330-245KV brushless Outrunner
Which one is the right domed spinner nut for this engine?
This is my first ARTF and I could really do with some help!!
Just tell me which one to order with dimensions and that would be great
Many thanks

[Knucklebutt]

Alan good to make contact here: the Fairchild 24 is kinda special as I had one ready for cover when I had the stroke, so was never able to finish ( it was scratch built for Hostetler plans) so the black horse is next in line, see you soon


Denis

[althepal88]

Finally, I took the 24 to the field yesterday. First time I put her on the flying table (2' x 6') and really noticed how wide the landing gear is! Almost didn't fit on the table. When I inserted the wings, I thought I had the 4mm pinch bolts, but low and behold, I couldn't find them. I found one of the wing bolts already installed into the fuse, but the other one was missing. Into the spare bolt box and I came up with one. Check your aircraft fuse to see if the bolts are already installed. After checking all the servos, trims and range check; I installed the canopy and fired her up. (I gave her a final "hanging CG test" before I loaded her up for the trip to the field. I did install two 16 oz lead bars. She is a little nose heavy, but will work on that next trip.) After taxiing out and lined up on the runway, I advance the throttle and kept neutral on the elevator; the tail did come up quickly and a little up elevator was needed because of the too much nose weight. She lifted right off the ground after a good ground roll, nice and straight, at about 3/4 throttle. The 40cc Valleyview twin not only pulls her very well, it sounds great, too. Once trimmed out, she flies rock steady. I don't use any rudder/aileron mix, but if you are not accustomed to using the rudder when you fly, I do suggest it. I flew her once, so I have her all trimmed up and did not try a stall test knowing that I was tail heavy anyway. I did a flap test. Hardly needs much elevator/flap mix, but there is some needed. After a few fly bys, I landed with full flaps and partial throttle (ready to add power if something didn't feel right. She has a nice sink rate, so as I cleared the numbers I got her lower and lower and pulled off the power and she dropped right down on a perfect three pointer. I am glad that I changed out the stock tires for the Dubro 4 1/5 inflatable tread tires. No bounce at all! This airplane is a keeper, for sure. We will use my buddies $300 weight and balance set up next trip to see how close/or far we are off compared to the factory supplies cg system. We have pics, but I have to figure out how to post them this week.

[Merry Boozer RC]

Absolutely loved flying this beautiful model at Joe Nall this year she was an absolutely beautiful flyer. Guys that enjoyed the videos from Nall ( I was The Pilot) amazing experience and a big thanks to Motionrc for the opportunity we did shoot a video with the model at Nall check it out. https://youtu.be/-LrT16kkuJg

[catvman]

When will this plane be back in stock?

[James]

Well, my 24 is finally ready for her maiden flight, which will be Wed morning. My changes were to mount a VVRC 40cc twin with a polished T-6 style spinner/hub; move the cowl mounts to accommodate the spark plug wires and cylinders; detail the faux radial; add Dubro 4 1/5 inflatable tires (stock wheels were too hard I believe), painted the grey cliveses and horns to matching red; still had to add 16 oz to the front area to get close to CG. Flight report to follow.

Sounds awesome! Can you post up some pics or even video? Would love to see how show looks and sounds with the gas option

[althepal88]

Well, my 24 is finally ready for her maiden flight, which will be Wed morning. My changes were to mount a VVRC 40cc twin with a polished T-6 style spinner/hub; move the cowl mounts to accommodate the spark plug wires and cylinders; detail the faux radial; add Dubro 4 1/5 inflatable tires (stock wheels were too hard I believe), painted the grey cliveses and horns to matching red; still had to add 16 oz to the front area to get close to CG. Flight report to follow.

[althepal88]

Hey, Knucklebutt! How is it going? I have the Fleet ready to fly and will be bringing it to the OEAF Fall Fly-In. I am about to finish up my Argus 24 and I hope to bring it, too. We were considering making a cowl for the Ranger version, but I will have to buy another Fairchild because I already have the 40 cc twin Valleyview engine in her (came from my SuperCub after an off-field landing). This bird would handle a 20 to 35 cc single with no problem, but when I held up a 30 cc NGH 4 stroker, it was going to take a considerable amount of cowl cutting (for the radial cowl), but a rear exhaust DLE single should fit nicely.

[Knucklebutt]

Would sure love to convert this to the R model. Long nose with the ranger engine



Denis

[althepal88]

Would one of you please post of photo of this? I'll forward it to the factory for their response and a change to the future production line. Thank you!

Not needed. Again, MY bad, Alpha. The manual won't change, but maybe a build thread on HobbySquak or RCU/RCGroups, like what we have going would help.

[althepal88]

I’m not able to get all 3 holes to align on the main landing gear legs and the shock struts where the wheel axle bolt passes thru. What is the function/purpose of the small screws? When the wheel axle nuts are tightened the parts are all
held in place ...do I really need the small screws holding the gear leg and shock strut together?

Hey, Aerodale, I thought the same thing and just today I noticed that I had the left lower landing gear on the wrong side. I took it all apart and double checked my right and left (lol) and then put it together like it is supposed to be and Shazamm, everything lined up perfectly. I thought the tolerances were off, but I was totally wrong. Look at it this way, we are the guinea pigs on this airplane. Not a lot of written text in the manual. To answer your question; if all three holes align it is the proper right vs. left gear; the small screws keep everything together in case you axel comes loose.

[Aerodale]

Hard to get good picture of the misalignment of the holes but here is what I was able to get